SILKAir, the 100 per cent subsidiary of Singapore Airlines, has introduced online booking services that provide access to ticketing and exclusive discount fares.

The new e-commerce site, found at www.silkair.net, represents a Singapore $1-million investment in infrastructure by SilkAir. The Web site offers real-time confirmation for online flight bookings and a one-stop gateway for package deals to 24 destinations served by the airline.

The airline had recently introduced services to Krabi and Macau, and plans to launch new services in the coming months to Chengdu and Hyderabad.

"SilkAir's expanding destination choices demand flexible booking options that empower the consumer. The completely revamped Web site is designed with the leisure traveller in mind. The depth of information and ease of navigation will appeal to busy people who want to take direct control of their travel planning,'' the airlines, Vice-President Commercial, Mr Chooi Yee Choong, said.

For July, SilkAir is offering exclusive online discounts of up to 30 per cent on airfares. Those who register on the Web site will also be notified of the on-going special offers available online.

SilkAir strongly believes that this investment will satisfy the existing customers and attract new ones. The airline projects Web-based bookings will account for 15 per cent of revenue by 2005, up from the current level of three per cent. SilkAir's Web site receives three million hits a month, which is growing rapidly.

The airlines booking engine uses secure, latest technologies, the server platform is scalable, provides for future personalisation and can support multiple languages and mobile devices such as PDAs and mobile phones.